TESTING YOUR CAREER TRANSITION SKILLS

Circle the number you consider applies you

Scale: 1 strongly agree 4 disagree
2 agree 5 strongly disagree
3 maybe, not certain

1. I know what skills I can offer employers 1 2 3 4 5

2. I know what skills employers most seek in my target occupation 1 2 3 4 5

3. I can convincingly explain to interviewers what I did well for my last employer 1 2 3 4 5

4. I can specify three good reasons why an employer should hire me 1 2 3 4 5

5. I can secure support of family and friends for making this job change 1 2 3 4 5

6. I can allocate 10 to 15 hours of time each week to conduct a job
search if need be 1 2 3 4 5

7. I have the financial resources to sustain a three-month job search if need be 1 2 3 4 5

8. I know how to research internet recruitment agencies, employers and
organizations in a public library, career reference centre or elsewhere 1 2 3 4 5

9. I can write different types of effective resumes, job search letters, and
follow-up letters 1 2 3 4 5

10. I can distribute resumes and application letters to the most relevant
12 recruitment agencies 1 2 3 4 5

11. I can list my major accomplishments in ways in which the results are
clear and quantifiable 1 2 3 4 5

12. I can identify no less than 12 employers with whom I want to obtain
interviews 1 2 3 4 5

13. I can develop a job vacancy referral network to help me 1 2 3 4 5

14. I know how to prospect for job leads where none is advertised 1 2 3 4 5

15. I can use the telephone to 'cold call' and get interviews 1 2 3 4 5

16. I can plan and implement an effective direct-mail job search of unsolicited
enquiries to at least 40 firms 1 2 3 4 5

17. I have identified, and regularly use, a stress management technique which
suits me 1 2 3 4 5

18. I can create a position for myself in an organization when none is advertised 1 2 3 4 5

Add the numbers you circled for a total score. If your score is more than 35 points, you need to
work more on developing your career transition skills, if you scored 25 points or less, you don't
need more preparation or rehearsal. Proceed to implement your career action plan.

TOTAL: ____________
AUDITING YOUR CAREER MANAGEMENT SKILLS
Circle the number you consider applies to you
Scale: 1 strongly agree 4 disagree
2 agree 5 strongly disagree
3 maybe, not certain

1. I can list the most important personal factors that will affect my career over the next
3 years 1 2 3 4 5

2. I can list at least four critical organizational factors that will influence my career progress with
my current employer 1 2 3 4 5

3. I know at least two realistic potential career paths for me with my current employer 1 2 3 4 5

4. I know which responsibilities are mine and which are my employer's concerning the
management of my career 1 2 3 4 5

5. I have researched and committed to the necessary training courses/development experiences
to prepare for my next career move 1 2 3 4 5

6. I know the right questions to ask when investigating possible new position opportunities

7. I know accurately where I am in the four stages of career: 1 2 3 4 5
1) Exploration and trial 2) Career advancement
3) Career maintenance 3) Career decline

8. I have recorded an unambiguous career goal and schedule for achieving each stage
towards it 1 2 3 4 5

9. I am clear on the essential requirements and the desirable features in my next career
move 1 2 3 4 5

10. I know the reasons for my past career move choices 1 2 3 4 5

11. I have sorted out my key strengths and accomplishments in terms of my career
to date 1 2 3 4 5

12. I know how to measure the value of a job to my overall career before taking it 1 2 3 4 5

13. I am aware of how the informal power structure functions with rny current employer 1 2 3 4 5

14. I know where to obtain an unbiased review of my personal development needs,
career plans, and proposed actions 1 2 3 4 5

15. I am confident of the depth of my personal skills to hold my own against competition 1 2 3 4 5

16. I have identified, and regularly use, a stress management technique which suits me 1 2 3 4 5

Add the numbers you circled for your total score. If your total score is more than 35, you urgently
need to find out more before taking your career further.

TOTAL: ____________

CHECKLIST AT POINT OF COMMITMENT
TO CAREER TRANSITION

Have I carried out the most thorough self-analysis I have
ever done? YES NO

Have I identified the most appropriate career action in view
of this self-analysis? YES NO

Have I researched what it really entails, where it is available,
and the employers with whom it exists? YES NO

Have I developed and written down a career action strategy
and timetable? YES NO

Does it fit into my new total lifestyle plan? YES NO

If retraining is involved do I know where tuition is available;
the study pattern most appropriate for my needs; enrollment
procedures? YES NO

Have I discussed all of the above with my Significant Other? YES NO

Do I know exactly what my current financial assets and YES NO
liabilities are?

Am I willing to take worthwhile risks? YES NO

Have I completed the study of career transition strategies? YES NO

Have I discussed plans with Mentor and my Support Group? YES NO















Career and Life Development Process

Reevaluate your plans periodically by returning to previous level. Start with the
top and work your way down. The first level is the foundation for all the rest.


Level 1
Self Discovery
Financial
Worries
Career
Assessment
Skills &
Achievements
Values
Clarification
Areas/Fields
of Interest
Personality
Style
Fear of
Change

Level 2
Occupational Research
Reality
Testing
Research &
Interviewing
Educational
Needs
J ob
Shadowing
Hands-on
Experience
Market
Trends







Level 4
Employer Contacts
J ob
Search
Resumes &
Cover Letters Interviews


Level 5
Employment
Salary
Negotiations Promotions















Level 3
Decision-Making
Resolve Fears
Career
Objectives Personal Goals Integrity
Level 6
Career/Life
Development
Reassessment
A SEARCH

Do you know how to get a job in this millennium?

Do you think you will find your next job on the Internet?

Discover the best job search strategy for your career choice.

Plan a balanced approach to conducting your job search.

Find out how to stay organized and focused to help ensure you reach your ultimate
job successfully.

TALKING TALENTS

Are you prepared to interview?

What if your interview is with human resources and what if it is a panel interview?

Have you prepared for a behavioral based interview?

Role-play an interview; customize your interview questions to uncover what you
need to know about your future employer.

PAPERWORK TRAILS

Letters of introduction, unsolicited letters, cover letters and thank you letters.
These are the written communication tools that a productive job search is made of.